Thursday, January 14, 2010

I just witnessed Clemson absolutely take apart North Carolina, 83-64, in an ACC game that ended with a whole bunch of orange, happy people screaming at midcourt in Clemson. Here's my column from that game. And here are 5 numbers the "ABCers" -- the "Anybody But Carolina" brigade -- may enjoy (although they are guaranteed to make Tar Heel fans wince about this best-forgotten game).

19 -- The margin of defeat. It was the worst in Roy Williams' seven-year tenure at UNC, surpassing the 84-66 defeat (18-point margin) from the 2008 Final Four loss to Kansas.

The Tarheels are playing at too fast a pace and simply needs to turn it back a notch. Also, Deon Thompson needs to ask himself if he's committed. Lastly, the Tarheels have been spoiled by excellent point guard play for the last few years. They really need for someone to step up. Mr. Stricland looked the best at the point. Good game, Clemson :-(

Ummm, anon @ 9:34...you asked "why can't he get a team loaded with talent to beat marginable teams?"

Seriously? So, I'm guessing you only base your evaluation of a body of work on one, maybe two games in a season? That's brilliant. Yes, let's all ignore the fact that Roy has won 2 national titles in the past 5 years...and that he lost 75% of his talent after that national title last year and so is building a new team from the ground up. Because you are right - Roy is awful and can't get any talent, period, based on the Clemson game last night. Very astute.

Now, if we are ready to REALLY talk about basketball...

I noted on Scott's column that the Heels last night reminded me of what I'd seen in years past, when Roy would sub out his starters for a bit and in came backups like Quentin Thomas - and as soon as they came in, you got nervous. Like, I'm just waiting for them to turn it over or make a mistake nervous. Except, back then Roy could go back to his core team and take back control of the game. But THIS team looks like 5 Quentin's out on the floor...scared, overwhelmed, just shaky. They didn't finish...they were sloppy...they aren't showing good awareness. Not sure what Roy is going to do...but, I get the feeling this is going to be a down year. It happens, I accept it...but, I hope these young guys get the necessary experience during this rough stretch to play up to their potential. Right now, they aren't playing up to it at all.

P.S. - This is what I was talking about Scott! A spot for some ACC B-ball talk...well done! Now, where's Jenn?

UNC-CH fans understand they don't just pull for the basketball team, it isn't a sport but a way of life that non-UNC-CH fans just don't get. That's OK, it's always lonely at the top, we will just continue to step over the yapping little dogs that are the rest of you. We are no more defined in total by winning it all last year than we are by this year. The tradition of excellence in all things UNC-CH, sports, academics, quality of life, exceeds all other choices. Before us, you are all just slugs in the sun.

I am a Carolina grad and I would gladly welcome a year like this anytime if it is because we lost the bulk of a National Championship squad from the year before. It is hard to feel down when you have enjoyed 2 NC's in the last 5 years. Other fans in the ACC who hate us would love to experience what we have been able to in the last 5 years.

That is true anonymous. Most teams like Clemson showed the other day are estatic when they are able to beat Carolina in a regular season game. Carolina fans save that kind of ecstasy for National Championships.

I actually had a friend of mine, a Clemson fan, send me a message on FB asking if I was "ready to jump from this sinking ship". I mean, come on Clemson...yes, you guys whipped up on us. But, give me a break. It's a single game in January - after losing 10 in a row and STILL not winning in Chapel Hill. As I told him, I hardly consider a team fresh of a Championship season that lost a game to Clemson a "sinking ship"...but, I guess when you hate Carolina that bad, you'll take what you can get.